You might recall the EMS Synthi HiFli Clone from Digitana Electronics back in 2010. Since then, they have made a number of EMS modules and accessories. To the left is the KS Expander, below is their SYNTHI Control Console followed by the Dual VCS3 - DK2 CV Interface, VCS3 mk2 External CV and Gate Interface, Synthi VCS3 Poly Midi-CV Interface, and the Synthi VCS3 Quad Midi-CV Interface. You'll find more on their site.
"This track started out life as a bit of messing around with a sh101 sequence. The sequence in the sh101 is triggered by LT trigger out from my tr606 with a bit of live building and the such. The sequence is then f...ed with by taking the Ht trigger out from my tr606 and running it through a Digitana Micro Punk Robot and sending the output of that into the CV in to the sh101. I later added drums and FX to the sequence.
"Hi all..just to advertise that I have made an agreement with Robin Wood at EMS to built 15 re-release Synthi HIFLi's under license. The agreement is that I build 15 to sell directly. After that I may build more and also build for EMS to sell rebadged as an EMS product, depending on how sales go.
So far I have 9 people down on my build list.
For pricing, estimated build times and how to get on the waiting list see :-
Overview of features (be sure to check out the link above for full details)
"HiFLi Main Features
The HiFLI consist of several sections. Those on the left half are Top Boost, Octave Shift (containing Sub-Octave and Ring Modulation features) and Sustain Fuzz. Then a Bypass Mixer (mixing wet/dry signals) divides the left and right parts and the right half consists of probably the most important part as regards sound shaping, a wonderful multi-feature Phase Filter.
I also added 2 features that appeared on the original HiFLI mk2 units: a bypass front panel slide switch to bypass the left hand side effects completely and send the audio signal directly into the Phase Filter (very useful!) and an additional ‘Growl’ switch that drops down the fundamental note extracted from the audio in by 2 octaves (The Sub-Octave drops it by 1 octave) thus allowing further new sounds (particularly gritty/growly basses) to be created."
YouTube via thebarkpetition "Voice of Saturn + EHX Big Muff Pi + DigiTech Screamin' Blues + DOD FX25B + Subdecay Noisebox + EHX Stereo Memory Man w/ Hazarai + EHX Flanger Hoax + EHX Small Clone"
"Experimental sound collage with the Eric Archer Lite2Sound, Digitana Micro Punk Robot
(sound modified by Lite2Sound) Critter&Guitari Keypad Cigarbox Synth,Steim CracleBox and BugBrand Board & Postcard Weevil."
"A picture of the new Microstep 8 step analog sequencer has been added to the gallery - The design has changed a bit from the prototype shown last time, aside from a few cosmetic changes it also now has a much nicer case in heavy duty aluminium. It is a simple analog sequencer very similar to early modular sequencers, designed for modular and CV gate equipment only (No Midi) Here is the spec:
8 Steps (foreward only) each with LED indicator and CV amount 8 Pulse outputs for triggering envelopes etc or setting sequence length when fed to reset input CV output CV width control (controls range of CV output) Trigger output Clock input (no internal clock) Reset input
Priced at £147GBP plus shipping, we think this represents great value and is possibly the most affordable ready built analog sequencer available anywhere, it is a very flexible and very fun device. A video demo will follow at some point this week outlining some examples of its use. These will be prepaid built to order only initially, due to time constraints, expected to start late October, further details to follow later this week.
The Micro Punk Robot stock is running out, I have shipped almost all of the second batch now to happy users all over the world, I have yet to hear back from a few people who pre-ordered so if you have changed your mind please let me know as there is now a waiting list for batch 3 (probably to be available early 2010)
In the meantime check out these great user demos-
Ari from Helsinki did this brilliant performance
Säätö 001 ( Minimal CV Jam )
[YouTube via taskent99 "Old and new stuff: ARP Sequencer`s control voltages into the Micro Punk Robot and MXR Pitch Transposer.AdrenaLinn`s drums processed by the MPR.( gate&audio from the AdrenaLinn ). The AdrenaLinn and MXR effects used for the Board Weevil."]
Dylan from Australia did this great acid jam- [link]
We always love to hear Digitana products being put through their paces by our customers so if you'd like us to hear your music let us know and we will post it on the mailing list for others to check out too :)"
YouTube via taskent99 "Old and new stuff: ARP Sequencer`s control voltages into the Micro Punk Robot and MXR Pitch Transposer.AdrenaLinn`s drums processed by the MPR.( gate&audio from the AdrenaLinn ). The AdrenaLinn and MXR effects used for the Board Weevil."
YouTube via DigitanaUK "Some more examples of the MPR, in this video I use it as a processor for external audio, and show it being filtered.
The CV inputs and reset input can also be used for sending audio signals into the MPR, the results are dependant on the source material as well as the amplitude.
In this basic demo I show a few examples, remember that you could try audio into one of the CV inputs and CV into the other. You can try VCO's, synths, samples, drum machines etc as audio sources into the inputs of the MPR.
Later in the clip I show the sequenced MPR output running into a resonant LPF, the unusual output from the MPR results in some nice response from the filter.
via Digitana "The user guide for the Micro Punk Robot is now available for download here- micropunkrobot.pdf
A new run of Micro Punk Robots has begun, see the homepage if you missed these last time, the first run sold out in 24hrs, they make a great addition to modular and CV equipment and are still suprising us with their versatility, to pre order email with the subject "MPR reserve" to this email address. Keep an eye on the youtube channel (DigitanaUK) for some more demos of various uses in the next few days.
Some new products added to the shop- Multiples - Same form factor as Micro series, simple multiples currently in two flavours, 3 rows of 4x 3.5mm or 2 rows of 1 6.35mm to 2x 3.5mm, other types such as banana may be made if there is any interest. Priced at £20 plus shipping we think these are very keenly priced. Modular versions may come later.
Premium quality patch leads - A very nice set of 10x 50cm colour coded patch leads, 3.5mm Neutrik plugs, very nice quality Van Damme cable, colour coded strain relief for easy identification (10 colours) Apart from the high quality of these leads, they look very nice and perform flawlessly in all of the 3.5mm sockets we tested. Priced at £35 plus shipping for a set of 10. We chose 50cm as that seems to be the most handy size, but other sizes will follow if these prove popular.
Din Sync leads - Available in 1.5m or 5m lengths, compatible with the Roland Sync24 protocol
YouTube via DigitanaUK "Testing out the Micro Step sequencer with the MPR, the Micro Step is a small 8 step analogue sequencer. The Micro Step is being triggered by a Machinedrum, aside from the bass drum all the sounds are coming from the Micro Punk Robot. The MPR is being fed a CV from the Micro Step and a sine wave.
The first batch of Micro Punk Robots are sold out, to order one from the next batch sign up to the mailing list at the website on the video, the Micro Step will be available from October.
All Digitana products are completely hand made, and limited edition, see website for further info.
Pricing is £65GBP for Micro Punk Robot plus shipping at cost, Micro Step price is not confirmed as yet but should be under £175. We ship worldwide.
YouTube via DigitanaUK "The micro punk robot is stepped tone generator synth, designed for use with modular and other cv/gate equipment. Hand made in the UK in small batches and limited quantities to very high standards, this versatile little box is ideal for those that like experimental sounds, classic PWM type bass, retro arcade sound fx, glitchy static clicks, interesting synthestic percussion sounds, and much more.
I only cover a small selection of the possible sounds and use no external eq or fx units, of course when used with a modular system filtering, waveshaping, etc can lead to unexplored sonic territory, also the MPR can itself be used as a modulation source.
It has 2 CV inputs, 2 frequency controls, 2x 2 way range switches, a reset input which can be used as a gate or strange type of audio input, a power input which itself can be used with a CV signal for power starve and base pitch changing modulations, finally an audio output which can also be used as a kind of cv output.
NOTE The CV inputs are not anything like 1v per octave and are non linear, a rise in voltage causes the pitch to drop.
It comes with a 9v PP3 type battery connector and can also be used with a user supplied 9-12v power supply with a 3.5mm positive tip connector.
Priced at £65GBP plus shipping at cost to anywhere in the world.
We have many loyal customers in many countries, visit our website to join the mailing list for news, offers, availability and to buy Digitana products. All products are offered on a first come first served basis."
via Digitana "Sneak peak of our first new product - An update on a classic, the Micro Punk Robot is a CV controlled stepped tone generator with a few twists, first up there are 2 range switches to expand on the pallette of this already versatile little monster, then we added CV inputs for integration with modular and CV equipment, the audio output also can be used as a CV out, the reset input can function as a kind of gate or even a rudimentary audio input, finally the power input can also offer some interesting options such as power starve and control from a gate/CV signal, because of all the extra stuff crammed in, the battery no longer fits inside the case so a pp3 lead is supplied. More details and audio clips will follow soon.
The price will be £65GBP plus shipping, so if you are interested act quickly, as usual there will only be limited quantities of these available at any time as they are hand made."
"8 Steps, with wide pitch range, (with On, Off, or Pulse* for each step) CV, Gate and S-Trig outputs CV width control Output for each stage (which can also be used with the reset input to set sequence length) External Clock and Reset inputs *Unique pulse function allowing ratchet or timing offset effects Manual step and reset buttons Internal clock, pulse rate Estimated price £225 plus shipping (subject to +/- 10%) Handmade in the UK Due to the high cost of parts and long build time I want to see if it is going to be worthwhile in the current economic climate to do a run of these, when the prototype is finished I will be doing a video of it in action.
If you feel that you may be interested in this sequencer please respond to this email to allow me to gauge demand. Assuming production goes ahead I estimate the first units will ship in April.
YouTube via DigitanaUK "The Micro Acid Drone is a small handheld synth played with a footswitch, here is a demo of it with a drum machine and some delay and in 1 part of the clip over a 303 loop.
These are handmade in small quantities and are available to buy for £65GBP. For more info or to buy visit the Digitana website. Lots more new products coming in 2009, check out my other videos for some more demos. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy! Zoe"
YouTube via DigitanaUK "Like the Micro Punk Console, the Micro Acid Drone can also be used as a modulation source for synths with CV inputs. As you will hear in this clip the results are quite different (a bit more subtle) the pedal is being pressed on and off to demonstrate the contrast between normal and modulated, many interesting results can occur.
via this auction "Digitana Micro Acid Drone - Brand New Hand Made Limited Edition Synth
A great fun little box, handmade using high quality parts the Micro Acid Drone is a small battery powered tone generator that specialises in acid type sounds, drones and pseudo filter sweeps (there is no filter in the synth but it gives a very similar effect). It is played by pressing on the footswitch and tweaking the controls, the first of which controls the pitch, the second controls tone. By sweeping the controls and pressing the pedal in a rhythmic fashion it is possible to add some nice acid type sounds to your music.
NOTE: this is not a TB-303 clone, but its own kind of lo-fi acidic tones complements a 303 very well.
It is great for sampling or playing along live over music, and works very well for adding sweeps and transition type sounds in breaks, intros etc. Ideal for DJ's, experimental musicians, performance artists, and producers.
Very easy to play and a LOT of fun for anyone who likes experimenting with sound, with a bit of practice you can even coax basslines and melodies from it, but it is best suited for sound fx and embellishments.
Although it is similar in appearance to the Digitana Micro Punk console it is a completely different machine and makes different sounds, in fact they complement each other very nicely and many of my customers have purchased both.
Very limited numbers (maybe 2) available before Christmas on eBay, would make a nice present for the synth enthusiast.
Comes complete with battery, footswitch and instructions.
Built in a high quality ABS case with an aluminium top and a poly coated panel.
For about the same price as an FX pedal, but handmade in the UK and bespoke, so if you are looking for something different that not everyone else will have then it could be what you are looking for.
